Appointments to the Continental Boards of Counsellors
The National Spiritual Assembly shared the announcement by the Universal House of Justice of the 90 members of the five Continental Boards of Counsellors for the next five-year term commencing on the Day of the Covenant this year, reflecting on the sacrificial service of our outgoing liaison Counsellor, and greeting a newly appointed Counsellor who resides in Aotearoa.
Cover email from the National Assembly to all Bahá'ís in Aotearoa sent on 16 October 2025:
Dearly loved friends,
As we share the attached news from the beloved Universal House of Justice which announces the appointment for the next five-year term of the members of the five Continental Boards of Counsellors for the Protection and Propagation of the Faith, we are mindful that our dear Counsellor Tessa Scrine who has served as our liaison Counsellor with such loving care and concern, and a strong sense of affinity with our nation, for the past seven years, will be released from her 15 years as a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors from the Day of the Covenant on 25 November this year.
Words cannot express how much admiration and love the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand has for Ms Scrine, whose consecration to her role as a Counsellor, including the loving and close collaboration she has had with our national body, wins our undying admiration and appreciation. Her contribution of service to our nation can hardly be estimated as its breadth and depth goes far beyond any possible measurement. With her counsel at national, regional, cluster and even at times local levels, so much has progressed and developed on many fronts.
As this news is received, Ms Scrine is presently in our country and will be attending a significant gathering of institutional and agency members in the South Island this weekend. She was with the National Assembly for four days earlier this month and will be a guiding influence at a significant seminar in Auckland on social action in the coming weeks. The debt of gratitude owed to Counsellor Scrine is incalculable.
The news from the Supreme Institution also conveys the happy announcement of the appointment as a Counsellor on the Australasian Board of Counsellors, of Auxiliary Board member for Protection, Mr Jeffrey Sabour, who resides in Auckland with his wife and three sons. Jeffrey has a long history as an Auxiliary Board member for propagation, and more recently for protection, as well as a wealth of experience to draw from in the field of service. The National Spiritual Assembly looks forward to collaborating closely with him, and offers its loving best wishes to Jeffrey and his dear family, as they prepare for this new phase in their lives.
The National Spiritual Assembly also takes this opportunity to mention that Counsellor Scrine is one of four members of the Australasian Board of Counsellors to be released, the other three being long-serving Counsellors who have contributed hugely to the Continent - Ritia Kamauti Bakineti, Jalal Rodney Mills, and Kessia Ruh. We thank all four of these dear friends for their contribution of sacrificial service, so beneficial to our part of the world over many years.
Please read the attached letter from the House of Justice to learn the names of the 90 souls who have been appointed, and what they are being called upon to support the Bahá'í World to undertake as we draw near to the second phase of the Nine Year Plan. You will no doubt join the National Spiritual Assembly in offering heartfelt prayers for their momentous service in the coming five years.
With loving greetings,
National Spiritual Assembly
